Larger animals, think of deer and cows are so called "open skinned" this a method where the skin is removed from the animal like a jacket. This method is generally used if the skin is going to be tanned immediately or frozen for storage. A skin removed by the open method can be used for wall hangings or to cut pieces from it and use them in clothes.

To open skin an animal, the body should be placed on a flat surface. A cut should be made from anus to lower lip, and up the legs of the animal. The skin can then be opened and removed from the animal. After that is done the final step is to scrape the excess fat and flesh from the inside of the skin with a blunt stone or bone tool.